For more than 180 years, Thonet — or Gebrüder Thonet — has produced elegant and durable tables and cabinets as well as chairs, stools and other seating that wholly blur the lines between art and design. Widely known as a trailblazer in the use of bentwood in furniture, the European manufacturer has reimagined the places in which we gather.
Noted for his skill in parquetry, German-Austrian company founder Michael Thonet received an invitation from Austrian Chancellor Prince Metternich to contribute Neo-Rococo interiors to the Liechtenstein City Palace in Vienna. The Boppard-born Thonet had honed his carpentry skills in his father’s workshop, where he carried out experiments with plywood and modified the Biedermeier chairs that populated the studio.
Thonet’s work for the chancellor raised his profile, and the cabinetmaker gained international recognition, including at London’s Great Exhibition of 1851, which featured works created by members of the Arts and Crafts movement as well as industrial products of the day. Thonet showed a range of furniture at the fair and won the bronze medal for his bentwood chairs. He incorporated his family’s company, the Thonet Brothers, with his sons in 1853.
Bentwood furniture dates as far back as the Middle Ages, but it is the 19th-century cabinetmaker Thonet who is most often associated with this now-classic technique. Thonet in 1856 patented a method for bending solid wood through the use of steam, and from there, the bentwood look skyrocketed to furniture fame. The works of renowned mid-century modern designers such as Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, and Charles and Ray Eames that put this technological advancement to use would not be as extensive or celebrated were it not for the efforts of the pioneering Thonet.
Considered the world’s oldest mass-produced chair, Michael Thonet’s ubiquitous Chair No. 14 demonstrated that his patented bentwood technology made it possible to efficiently produce furniture on an industrial scale. Now known as the 214, it won the German Sustainability Award Design for 2021, a recognition of the company’s commitment to environmentally responsible production.
Often called the Coffee House chair — the company’s first substantial order was for a Viennese coffeehouse — the No. 14 remains an icon. Thonet originally designed the chair in 1859, and it is considered the starting point for modern furniture.
The bentwood process opened doors — there were investments in machinery and new industrial processes, and the business began mass-producing furniture. By the end of the 1850s, there were additional Thonet workshops in Eastern Europe and hundreds of employees. Michael Thonet’s reputation attracted the attention of notable architects including Otto Wagner, Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
The No. 14 was followed by the No. 18, or the Bistro chair, in 1867, and the 209, or the Architect’s chair, of which Le Corbusier was a fan. (The influential Swiss-French architect and designer used Thonet furniture in his Pavillon de l’Esprit Nouveau at the 1925 International Exposition of Decorative Arts in Paris.)
Thonet’s chair designs also appeared in artwork by Toulouse-Lautrec, John Sloan and Henri Matisse in his Interior with a Violin Case. The noteworthy Thonet rocking chair remains a marvel of construction — in the middle of the 19th century, Michael produced a series of rockers in which the different curved parts were integrated into fluid, sinuous wholes. Thanks to Thonet, the humble rocker acquired something unexpected: style. It was captured in the paintings of Pablo Picasso, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and James Tissot.
Thonet is currently split into global divisions. Thonet Industries U.S.A. was acquired in 1987 by Shelby Williams and joined the CF Group in 1999, while the Thonet brand in Germany is owned by Thonet GmbH.
Find a collection of antique Thonet furniture on 1stDibs.
Gerd Lange for Thonet Set of 4 ‘Flex’ Dining Chairs c.1980
By Thonet, Gerd Lange
Located in London, GB
A set of four ‘Flex’ dining chairs designed by Gerd Lange for Thonet, circa 1980. Constructed from birch plywood with flexible plastic backrests, these chairs exemplify the German de...
Plastic, Birch
Thonet MCM bent plywood leather chair , circa 1960
By Thonet
Located in Miami, FL
Thonet bent plywood mod 1294 leather chair circa 1960
Leather, Plywood
6er Set Thonet S 61V Stuhl S60 Konferenzstuhl Freischwinger
By Ulrich Bohme, Wulf Schneider, Thonet
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten eins von insgesamt drei wunderschönen 4er Set Thonet Freischwingern zum Verkauf an. Bei den Stühlen handelt es sich um das Modell S320, das stapelbar ist und von Ulrich Bö...
Fabric, Wood
Bentwood dining chair no.228 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood dining chair no.228 by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Secession plant stand no.9532 by arch. Marcel Kammerer for Thonet
By Marcel Kammerer, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession plant stand no.9532 by arch. Marcel Kammerer for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Art nouveau screen no.11306 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art nouveau screen no.11306 by Thonet in excellent original condition. Oil peacock painting on canvas in bentwood frame.
Beech, Bentwood
Small Thonet Rocking Chair No.10 for Children
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Small Thonet rocking chair no.10 for children.
Rattan, Bentwood
$640Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of vintage Thonet folding chairs 1930s
By Thonet
Located in PRAHA 5, CZ
Rare and appealing pair of folding chairs originally from an outdoor cinema are perfect for any modern space. Crafted by Thonet in the 1930s, these chairs remain in good original con...
Beech
$2,551 / set
4x chair J&J Kohn Nr.415, Gustav Siegel, 1906
By Thonet, Gustav Siegel
Located in Praha, CZ
"Viennese Art Nouveau, variant of chair no. 415, designed by Gustav Siegl in 1906, manufactured by J&J Kohn. In beautiful original condition. Solid, ready to be upholstered. Minor ...
Bentwood
$266Sale Price / item|50% Off
Dining Chair by Thonet in Original Vintage Silk & Oak, Czechoslovakia, 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Zohor, SK
Elegant dining chair produced by Thonet company in an original condition. The chair is made of strong oak wood with upholstered seat and backrest. The fabric is vintage silk. Some patina is visible on the wooden parts which adds to the vintage look...
Silk, Oak, Bentwood
Oval table by arch. Marcel Kammerer for Thonet
By Marcel Kammerer, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Oval table by arch. Marcel Kammerer for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
1930s, Art Deco Floor Lamp by Thonet, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Carefully refurbished and finish by shellac. - rewired. - E26/E27 bulb with any wattage if LED version is used.
Chrome
Pair of Contemporary S 35 Lounge Chairs by Marcel Breuer for Thonet
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in Norwalk, CT
This pair of iconic S 35 lounge chairs features heavy-duty black leather seats slung over tubular polished chrome frames, with black stained beechwood armres...
Chrome
set 3 Chair Ludwig Mies van der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Firenze, FI
Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe "MR10" by Thonet set 3 chair. - Chromed tubular steel frame - Original rattan or cane seat - Designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produced by Thonet...
Steel
$8,699 / set
Jindrich Halabala H-269 Armchairs
By Jindřich Halabala, Thonet
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Jindrich Halabala H-269 Armchairs the wood has a very nice patina, the fabric needs to be redone
Beech
Marcel Breuer Bauhaus side table B12 - Thonet
By Marcel Breuer, Thonet
Located in The Hague, NL
Rare Marcel Breuer Bauhaus side table B12 - Thonet. It's a family piece and it is marked -as you can see in the pictures- so the authenticity is guaranteed. A timeless design icon, which blends in many different interior styles. It has oxidation on the chrome plated steel and it is painted black. The construction still is really good. This is an outstanding opportunity to become the happy owner of an authentic Marcel Breuer B12...
Steel
Thonet office chair with rattan seat
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet office chair with rattan seat professionally stained and repolished, new handmade rattan seat.
Rattan, Beech
Original circa 1900s Thonet Bentwood Coat Rack Exquisite Craftsmanship Must See
By Thonet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this stunning antique circa 1900’s Thonet Bentwood wall mounted coat rack A truly stunning piece, if you have ever seen this type of coat rack in the form of a wall mounted rack...
Bentwood
Jugendstil Otto Wagner Chair Beech 1902 Postal Saving Bank Vienna Thonet
By Thonet, Otto Wagner
Located in Vienna, AT
Jugendstil Otto Wagner One ( 1 ) Chair Side Chair Chocolate Brown Beech Österreichische Postsparkasse 1902 for Thonet 1904/1906 Vienna. An iconic chair or side chair by the famed Aus...
Beech
Set of Six Dining Chairs by Jozef Gorcia & Andreas Krob for Thonet Model S78
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of six very comfortable armchairs. Made in the 1990s by Thonet in Germany. Classic model, straw back, the backs are slightly damaged on some chairs, see pictures. Designed in t...
Steel
12 Dining Chairs, Manufactured for export in Argentina, with original labels
By Thonet
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
12 Chairs Made for Argentina by Thonet. It is verified on the label that it has the word Manufacturing in Spanish (Fabricacion Checo-Eslovaca) / Thonet Delivered restored at the cust...
Wood
Set of 4 Original Thonet Dining Chairs in Green Velvet, 1950s
By Thonet
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of 4 Original Thonet Dining Chairs in Green Velvet, 1950s This exquisite set of 4 original Thonet dining chairs from the 1950s embodies the timeless elegance of mid-century mod...
Upholstery, Beech
Austrian post-modern chairs 411 by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet, 1990s
By Thonet, Marcel Kammerer
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian post-modern chairs 411 by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet, 1990s Set of three chairs model 414 with square seat and oval backrest, padded and covered in bright purple silk fabric...
Fabric, Wood
Josef Frank Armchair, Model No. 403/F, 1928
By Thonet, Josef Frank
Located in Chicago, IL
Josef Frank Armchair, Model No. 403/F, 1928 This Armchair, designed by Josef Frank in 1928, features a stained bent beech frame and stained beech plywood. It was manufactured by Gebr...
Bouclé, Beech
Thonet Mid Century Modern Bentwood Legs Rectangular Laminate Top Side End Table
By Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Thonet Mid Century Modern Bentwood Legs Rectangular Laminate Top Side End Table. Item features shaped bentwood legs, laminate top, very nice ...
Laminate
Set of Four Thonet Chairs Attributed to Otto Prutscher
By Thonet, Otto Prutscher
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of four rare Thonet chairs attributed to Otto Prutscher. Fully restored, upholstered with Backhausen fabric "Blumengarten".
Beech, Plywood
Set of 7 Thonet Antique Bentwood Dining Chairs, Ebonized Wood
By Thonet
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 7 Antique Bentwood dining chairs with steam bent ebonized wooden frames with caned seats and backs, resting on four gently curved...
Wood, Ash
A Pair of Vienna Secession Oval Two-tier Side Tables by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in New York, NY
A pair of Vienna Secession oval two-tier side tables from the "Fledermaus" series designed by Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956). Featuring the original Thonet label. Stained beechwood. Vien...
Beech
Secession coffee table no.9208 by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet
By Thonet, Marcel Kammerer
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession coffee table no.9208 by Marcel Kammerer for Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Round Coffee Table by Thonet
By August Thonet, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Round coffee table by Thonet professionally stained and repolished.
Bentwood
Thonet Table by Josef Hoffmann
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet table by Josef Hoffmann in very good original condition with signs of use.
Metal
Gerd Lange Thonet Molded Plastic and Birch Wood Mid Century Modern Arm Chair
By Thonet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Gerd Lange for Thonet Molded Plastic and Birch Wood Mid Century Modern Arm Ch...
Plastic, Birch
Set of Two '2' Bentwood Slipper Chairs in Original Fabric by Thonet, USA, 1940s
By Thonet
Located in Deland, FL
Comfort. Vintage fabric. Captivating bentwood legs. These two slipper chairs are the perfect addition to any space needing a pop of color and/or a minimal footprint. The original yel...
Fabric
214K chair by Micheale Thonet for Thonet
By Thonet, Michael Thonet
Located in Ravenna, IT
The famous coffee chair designed by Michael Thonet in 1859 is still considered the world's most successful industrial product. It marks the beginning of the history of modern furnitu...
Reed, Hardwood
$1,275
Thonet chair
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Professionally stained and repolished Thonet chair with new handmade rattan seat.
Fabric, Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Thonet Bentwood Wall Hall Tree
By Thonet
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is an antique hanging wall hall tree by Thonet. It's made of beechwood and has 3 bentwood hangers for hats and coats.
Ultrasuede, Bentwood
Secession desk chair by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession desk chair by Thonet, professionally stained and repolished.
Abalone, Beech, Bentwood
Bentwood nesting tables with ceramic top by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood nesting tables with ceramic top by Thonet. Professionally stained and repolished. The ceramic plat on the largest table has cracks. Dimensions of each table: 1.40x57x70cm 2....
Ceramic, Beech, Bentwood
Set of 6 Mies van der Rohe MR10 white cantilever dining chairs for Thonet, 1980s
By Thonet, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in amstelveen, NL
An iconic set of 6 MR10 (256CS/MR533) cantilever dining chairs designed by Mies van der Rohe and manufactured by Thonet. Chrome-plated tubular steel frames with white saddle leather ...
Chrome
Sleek Bauhaus "B10" Table Set by Marcel Breuer
By Thonet, Chromcraft, Marcel Breuer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bring a rare fusion of historic design and modernist elegance into your space with this stunning vintage set. At its heart is the iconic "B10" Table, designed by Marcel Breuer—a pion...
Metal
$705Sale Price|20% Off
Chair Thonet Nr.402, Jan Kotěra in 1907
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
Designed by Jan Kotera for the National association house in Prostejov. Slightly modified - reduced backrest height, as an adjustment to the salon chair). P...
Brass
1960s Pair of Ton/Thonet Beech Armchairs, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet
Located in Praha, CZ
- Newly upholstered - wooden parts have been repolished.
Fabric
Art Deco Era Vintage Oak Glass Brass Thonet Showcase Vitrine Austria, circa 1920
By Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
Art deco vintage showcase or vitrine from solid oakwood with brass details, circa 1920 Austria. While one door shows a brass button to open the showca...
Oak
Thonet nesting tables
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet nesting tables 50x40x74 cm and 45x35x74 cm. Professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
Secession dining chairs no.413 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet
By Josef Hoffmann, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession dining chairs no.413 by Josef Hoffmann for Thonet Debrecen in very nice original condition.
Beech, Bentwood
Pair of Thonet Bentwood and Bakelite Stacking Stools, Mid Century Modern
By Thonet, Alvar Aalto
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Thonet Bentwood and Bakelite Stacking Stools. The white bakelite tops are 14" in diameter. Ready for a new home.
Bakelite, Bentwood
1960 Set of 4 Retro Suman Chairs and Table, Czechoslovakia
By Thonet, Antonín Šuman
Located in Praha, CZ
- Designed by Antonín Šuman 1960, production by Fa Jiton and Ton Czechoslovakia. - Veneered table - folded 85 x 85cm, unfolded 85x127cm, height 76cm. - Chairs with bent beech woo...
Fabric, Wood
Pair Mid Century Modern Armchairs by Joe Atkinson for Thonet, 1950
By Thonet, Joe Atkinson
Located in Detroit, MI
This set of two vintage mid century modern bent plywood armchairs designed by Joe Atkinson for Thonet are circa 1950. This unique set of chairs features distinctive wooden frames cra...
Fabric, Wool, Wood, Plywood
$3,158Sale Price|30% Off
Bentwood Cane Salonfauteuil Easy Chair Thonet No. 1, circa 1890
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Thonet
Located in Lucenec, SK
Very rare antique Thonet easy chair no 1 produced by Gebruder Thonet from the late 19th century in a very good condition with new cane on seat, cane ...
Cane, Bentwood
Rocking Chair S826 by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Neuss, NW
Classic rocking chair by Ulrich Böhme for Thonet. Designed in 1971, model S826. Frame made of chrome-plated tubular steel. The rocking chair has been reupholstered and covered with a...
Steel
$500Sale Price / item|20% Off
S 32 Cantilever Thonet Side Chair
By Mart Stam, Thonet
Located in Pasadena, TX
S 32 Cantilever Thonet side chair S 32 Cantilever chair combines the tubular steel frame with leather upholstered seat and backrest for comfort. Price for 1 6 available.
Chrome
Low art deco coffee table by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Low art deco coffee table by Thonet, professionally stained and repolished.
Beech, Bentwood
$636Sale Price|20% Off
ZPM Radomsko for Thonet Bentwood Cafe Armchair
By ZPM Radomsko, Thonet
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Bentwood furniture came to prominence in the early 1900s, and was a staple in cafes and restaurants in Europe. This is a bentwood armchair, designed by ZPM Radomsko in Poland and pro...
Wood
$3,247 / set
4x Chairs Thonet Nr.717, Gustav Siegel
By Thonet, Gustav Siegel
Located in Praha, CZ
Perfect original condition, really exceptionally well preserved. Only the upholstery is new, with woven decor inspired by Gustav Klimt paintings. The wooden bases were perfectly clea...
Textile, Bentwood
Art deco desk chair A64F by Adolf Gustav Schneck for Thonet Mundus
By Gustav Adolf Schneck, Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Art deco desk chair A64F by Adolf Gustav Schneck for Thonet Mundus. Professionally stained and repolished with french polish and new leather seat.
Leather, Beech, Bentwood
Thonet Rocking Footrest
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Thonet rocking footrest in very good original condition with signs of usage.
Rattan, Bentwood
$2,319 / set
Bentwood dining room chairs by Thonet Austria
By Thonet
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Bentwood dining room chairs by Thonet Austria in very nice original condition with signs of use.
Beech, Bentwood
Vienna Secession Style Thonet Writing Desk/ Table
By Thonet
Located in North Miami, FL
This all original Vienna Secession style table/ desk with linoleum embedded top and stunning brass covers over feet. Extremely attractive piece with some minor signs of age and wear.
Brass
20th Century Austrian Bar Stool in Black Wood by Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Sofia, BG
Bar stool by Thonet in very elegant typical shape and in great condition. Austria, circa 1910.
Wood
Secession office chair attr. to Marcel Kammerer for Thonet
By Thonet, Marcel Kammerer
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Secession office chair attr. to Marcel Kammerer for Thonet in very nice original codition with signs of use.
Fabric, Beech, Bentwood